Mudavadi vows not to antagonise Rift Valley over land once elected

By Luke Anami and Fred Kibor

RIFT VALLEY; KENYA: Amani Coalition presidential flag- bearer Musalia Mudavadi and his team took their campaign to Elgeyo Marakwet with a clear message to Prime Minister Raila Odinga that communities in Rift Valley acquired their land through rightful channels.

The Deputy Prime Minister said Kenyans should not entrust Kenya’s leadership to people with anger in a thin veiled attack on the Jubilee flag bearer, Uhuru Kenyatta.

Mudavadi said his manifesto, which will be unveiled soon, has provided clear cut solutions to issues of land, farming, education and security and other candidates should not mislead Kenyans that they will offer quick solutions as soon as they come to power.

Peace

“This place is rich agriculturally and the Amani Government will not spend its time antagonising people over issues to do with farming. We want people to live in peace because it is only with peace that we can succeed in uniting all Kenyans together,” Mudavadi said.

He said the coming elections would be about Kenya’s economy, calling on voters not to gamble with their votes because they have been told they must vote in their own tribes.

“This year’s election is about this country’s economy. Be careful of who you vote for. That person shall have authority over the police, the army and many other organs including security therefore do not entrust leadership to a person with anger,” Mudavadi explained. “Amani Coalition’s manifesto will pay close attention to education, distribution of resources under the County Revenue Allocation body led by Micah Cheserem, roads and security, which is a big issues facing people in this region of Marakwet.”

Economy

He praised Cheserem whom he said they worked together while he was Finance Minister and Cheserem was Central Bank Governor. “I wish to recognise Cheserem who is an old student of St Patrick’s Iten. Together we rescued Kenya’s economy when things were so bad,” added he. “If we want our economy to grow, we must have good relations with our neighbours.”

Musalia noted that infrastructural development across the country would also be a key factor to opening up rural areas as a way of attracting investors.

The issue of land came out during the campaigns where Kanu chairman Gideon Moi castigated the Prime Minister for his remarks in Eldoret that the Government will repossess huge tracts of land possessed by the communities living in the Rift Valley.

Land

“We acquired the land by following the due process and no one should imply that we used dubious means to get it,” he said. In response to Raila’s calls that his opponents should show Kenyans they can implement the new Constitution by handing over huge tracts of land in their possession, Gideon said land in the Rift Valley was acquired legally and no one should threaten other Kenyans.

Earlier at Chesoi Catholic Church, Marakwet East District, the Amani coalition presidential candidate said if elected, more police stations with equipped officers will be his priority to ensure peace prevails in the area ravaged by cattle rustling and banditry.

Eugene Wamalwa took a swipe at Raila for calling for the revival of Kazi Kwa Vijana saying the scheme failed.

“The PM should not lie to you that he will revive the Kazi Kwa Vijana project since the World Bank withdrew earlier citing poor execution,” Eugene explained.